English Literature MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for English Literature - Download Free PDF

The correct answer is Option 2.

Key Points

• In Percy Bysshe Shelley's poem "To a Skylark," the skylark is depicted as a symbol of pure joy and freedom, untainted by the sorrows and struggles of human life.
• Shelley contrasts the skylark's existence with that of humans by highlighting its unburdened nature and its ability to experience unadulterated happiness.
• While humans grapple with pain, regret, and the complexities of life, the skylark represents an ideal state of bliss and transcendence.
• The skylark's song is portrayed as divine and ethereal, serving as an inspiration for humans to aspire to greater emotional and spiritual heights.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2.

Additional Information

• Option 1: This is incorrect because the skylark is described as free from pain and sorrow, unlike humans.
• Option 3: Shelley does not portray the skylark as tragic; it is a symbol of joy and hope.
• Option 4: The skylark is not trapped; it is depicted as soaring freely, unlike the limitations humans face.

The correct answer is Option 1.

Key Points

• In the poem "To a Skylark," Percy Bysshe Shelley uses the term "spirit" to describe the skylark, emphasizing its ethereal and unearthly nature.
• The skylark symbolizes pure, untarnished joy that is free from the sorrows and imperfections of human life.
• By calling the skylark a "spirit," Shelley highlights its transcendence and ability to exist in a realm beyond human comprehension.
• The bird's melodious song and its flight high above the earth contribute to this imagery, portraying it as an embodiment of idealized happiness and artistic inspiration.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 1.

Additional Information

• Option 2: While the skylark's song might appear divine, Shelley does not explicitly depict it as a messenger between the human and divine realms.
• Option 3: Although the poet finds inspiration in nature, the skylark is more a symbol of joy than a direct agent of spiritual transcendence for the poet.
• Option 4: The skylark inspires awe and admiration, not melancholy or longing, in the poet.

The correct answer is Option 4.

Key Points

• Walter De La Mare's poem "The Listeners" is a haunting narrative that evokes a sense of mystery and the unknown.
• The "listeners" in the poem are described as an enigmatic, silent presence, which can be interpreted as the embodiment of the absence of human connection.
• The poem conveys a profound sense of isolation and the eerie silence of the unknown, highlighting the theme of unanswered calls and unfulfilled communication.
• This interpretation aligns with the idea that the listeners represent the silence and void left by the absence of human interaction and understanding.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 4.

Additional Information

• The poem's atmosphere is enhanced by its vivid imagery and rhythmic flow, making it one of Walter De La Mare's most celebrated works.
• The ambiguity of the poem allows for multiple interpretations, but the overarching theme of isolation and the unknown remains central.
• Walter De La Mare was known for his ability to create dreamlike and mysterious landscapes in his poetry, and "The Listeners" is a prime example of this skill.

The correct answer is Option 3.

Key Points

• In Thomas Hardy's poem "The Darkling Thrush," the thrush’s song in the final stanza is described as being sung "in full heart's ease," which implies a sense of contentment and peace.
• This reflects the thrush's innocence and its ability to remain unaffected by the surrounding desolation and despair described throughout the poem.
• The thrush symbolizes a glimmer of hope and renewal amidst the bleakness of the human condition and the dying year.
• Hardy contrasts the bird's unaffected joy with the darker tone of the environment, emphasizing the resilience of nature and its ability to inspire optimism.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3.

Additional Information

• The poem reflects Hardy's characteristic themes of existential questioning, desolation, and the interplay between humanity and nature.
• The thrush serves as a symbol of hope, contrasting with Hardy's typically pessimistic worldview.
• "The Darkling Thrush" was written at the turn of the 20th century, and its imagery captures the transition and uncertainty of the era.

The correct answer is Option 2.

Key Points

• In "The Listeners," the traveler’s unanswered question symbolizes the impossibility of communication across different realms.
• The poem deals with themes of isolation, the supernatural, and the limits of human understanding.
• The traveler’s encounter with silence represents the barrier between the living and the dead or between different existential planes.
• This interpretation highlights the mysterious and ambiguous nature of the poem, leaving readers with a sense of unresolved tension.
• The lack of response emphasizes the idea that certain questions or communications may remain unanswered due to the inherent separation between realms.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2.

Additional Information

• Option 1: The inescapable loneliness of the human experience is a valid theme but does not fully capture the core interpretation of the poem.
• Option 3: The eternal silence of death is a recurring motif but is more abstract than the specific idea of communication barriers.
• Option 4: The failure of human memory and history is not central to the poem’s symbolism or themes.

The correct answer is States that literary criticism is male dominated.

Key Points

• "Towards a Feminist Poetics" is a significant essay by Elaine Showalter, a prominent feminist literary critic.
• Showalter argues that literary criticism has traditionally been dominated by male perspectives, which have marginalized women's contributions and experiences.
• She proposes that feminist literary criticism should seek to understand and highlight the unique experiences and perspectives of women writers.
• Showalter's essay categorizes feminist literary criticism into different phases, examining the evolution and goals of feminist theory in literature.
• The work is a foundational text in feminist literary studies, influencing subsequent scholarship and approaches to reading and interpreting literature through a feminist lens.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 4.

Additional Information

• Elaine Showalter: An American literary critic, feminist, and writer, known for her work in the development of feminist literary theory.
• Showalter's work often focuses on the representation of women in literature and the need for a distinct female literary tradition.
• Her influential books include "A Literature of Their Own" which explores the evolution of women writers in England.

The correct answer is Auditor of the company must have experience of 10 years

Key Points

• Auditor of the company must have experience of 10 years:
  • This is not mentioned as a mandatory recommendation by the Kumar Mangalam Birla Committee in the passage.
  • The committee focused on board structure, audit committee composition, and meeting frequency, not specific auditor qualifications or years of experience.
  • In the context of financial enterprises, while auditor experience is important for accuracy and compliance, this criterion was not part of SEBI’s mandated governance reforms.
  • Mandatory guidelines emphasize oversight and independence over tenure-based eligibility, promoting transparency and investor confidence through board governance mechanisms rather than focusing on professional experience thresholds.

Additional Information

• Audit committee should contain 3 independent directors with one having financial and accounting knowledge:
  • This is a correct mandatory recommendation according to the committee. It ensures financial expertise and independence in internal control, especially relevant for financial institutions where audit transparency is critical.
• The Board should hold at least 4 meetings in a year with maximum gap of 4 months between 2 meetings to review operational plans:
  • Also a correct mandatory recommendation. Regular board meetings ensure continuous oversight and timely decision-making, vital in fast-changing financial markets.
• Director shall not be a member of more than 10 committees and shall not act as chairman of more than 5 committees across all companies:
  • This is part of the mandatory norms to avoid overcommitment and ensure effective participation. It is crucial in financial enterprises where governance and risk management responsibilities are complex and demanding.

The correct answer is Moorang to Kambala.

Key Points

• Happy Valley is a region that extends from Moorang to Kambala.
• The area is known for its scenic beauty and diverse landscape.
• Moorang serves as the starting point, while Kambala marks the endpoint of Happy Valley.
• Visitors often travel through this region to experience its natural attractions and cultural sites.
• The correct description of Happy Valley's extent is crucial for geographical and travel-related information.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 1.

Additional Information

• Option 2: Moorang to Midlands - This option is incorrect as it does not accurately describe the extent of Happy Valley.
• Option 3: Kambala to Midlands - This option is incorrect as it does not accurately describe the extent of Happy Valley.
• Option 4: Moorang to China - This option is incorrect as it does not accurately describe the extent of Happy Valley.
• Happy Valley is specifically known to extend from Moorang to Kambala, making Option 1 the correct choice.

The correct answer is Literary formalism.

Key Points

• I. A. Richards' "Principles of Literary Criticism" is a foundational text in the field of literary formalism.
• Literary formalism is a critical approach that emphasizes the form and structure of a literary work, rather than its content or context.
• Richards' work focuses on the analysis of literary texts through close reading and attention to language, form, and technique.
• His theories contributed significantly to the development of New Criticism, a movement that advocates for the close reading of texts to uncover meaning.
• Richards' emphasis on the intrinsic elements of a text, such as imagery, metaphor, and symbolism, aligns with the principles of literary formalism.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 1.

Additional Information

• Post modernism: A broad movement in the late 20th century across philosophy, the arts, architecture, and criticism, marked by a departure from modernism.
• Post colonialism: A critical theory framework that analyzes the cultural legacy of colonialism and imperialism.
• Structuralism: An intellectual movement in humanities and social sciences, focusing on the structures underlying human culture and psychology.

The correct answer is Option 2.

Key Points

• S. T. Coleridge's "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" is divided into seven parts.
• This poem is one of Coleridge's most famous works and is a seminal piece in English literature.
• It was first published in "Lyrical Ballads" in 1798, a collection of poems by Coleridge and William Wordsworth.
• The poem narrates the story of an old mariner who recounts his adventures at sea and the supernatural events that befell him and his crew.
• The work is known for its rich imagery and exploration of themes such as guilt, redemption, and the natural world.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2.

Additional Information

• Samuel Taylor Coleridge was a prominent English poet, literary critic, philosopher, and theologian.
• He, along with his friend William Wordsworth, founded the Romantic Movement in England.
• Coleridge's other notable works include "Kubla Khan" and "Christabel."
• His contributions to literary theory, particularly his concept of the "willing suspension of disbelief," have had a lasting impact on the study of literature.

The correct answer is The plight of a whole generation.

Key Points

• I. A. Richards was an influential English literary critic and rhetorician.
• He is known for his pioneering work in the field of literary theory and criticism.
• According to I. A. Richards, "The Waste Land" by T.S. Eliot records the plight of a whole generation.
• "The Waste Land" is a landmark modernist poem that reflects the disillusionment and despair of the post-World War I generation.
• The poem addresses themes of fragmentation, loss of faith, and the search for meaning in a shattered world.
• Richards' interpretation highlights the poem's significance in capturing the existential crises and cultural decay experienced by the generation of its time.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2.

Additional Information

• T. S. Eliot: Author of "The Waste Land," a significant figure in modernist literature.
• Ezra Pound: An influential poet and critic who helped edit and shape "The Waste Land."
• James Joyce: Another key modernist writer, known for works like "Ulysses" and "A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man."

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The correct answer is Pity and fear.

Key Points

• According to Aristotle, tragedy is a form of drama that evokes pity and fear in the audience.
• These emotions are aroused through the unfolding of a tragic plot that leads to the downfall of the protagonist.
• Aristotle discusses the concept of tragedy in his work "Poetics," where he analyzes the structure, purpose, and effect of tragedy in literature.
• The aim of tragedy, as per Aristotle, is to achieve a catharsis, or a purging of these emotions, thereby providing a sense of relief and enlightenment to the audience.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3.

Additional Information

• Anxiety and passion: These emotions are more related to modern interpretations of drama and not specifically highlighted by Aristotle.
• Fear and disgust: While fear is part of Aristotle’s theory, disgust is not a primary emotion he associates with tragedy.
• Pity and love: Love is not the primary emotion Aristotle focuses on in the context of tragedy.

The correct answer is A fusion of past and present.

Key Points

• T. S. Eliot's concept of tradition involves the idea that the past and the present are intimately connected.
• He believes that tradition is not a static set of works but a dynamic process where past works influence and are reinterpreted by the present.
• According to Eliot, a poet must develop a historical sense, which involves a perception of the timeless as well as the temporal and of the timeless and the temporal together.
• This historical sense compels a poet to write not merely with their own generation in mind but to consider the broader literary tradition.
• Thus, tradition involves a fusion of past and present, where contemporary works converse with historical ones, enriching both.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 1.

Additional Information

• A sense of present temporarity (Option 2) suggests a focus on the current moment without the deep connection to the past that Eliot emphasizes.
• An act of novelty (Option 3) implies creating something entirely new without reference to tradition.
• An expression of personal emotion (Option 4) focuses on individual feelings, which Eliot believed should be subordinated to the larger tradition.

The correct answer is Option 2.

Key Points

• According to Ferdinand de Saussure, a linguistic sign is a link between a concept (signified) and a sound pattern (signifier).
• Saussure's theory forms the basis of structural linguistics and has influenced various fields including semiotics, anthropology, and literary theory.
• He emphasized that the relationship between the signifier and the signified is arbitrary, meaning there is no inherent connection between the two.
• This arbitrariness is a fundamental principle in understanding how language functions and evolves.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2.

Additional Information

• Ferdinand de Saussure: A Swiss linguist whose ideas laid the groundwork for many developments in the study of language in the 20th century.
• Noam Chomsky: An American linguist known for his theory of generative grammar, which revolutionized the field of linguistics.
• Roman Jakobson: A Russian linguist and literary theorist who contributed significantly to structuralism and semiotics.